March 22, 2015-Wade Hannah capped a big week with a three run homer in the eighth inning to give Emporia State a 10-8 come from behind win at Northeastern State. With the win, the Hornets take the series from the RiverHawks three games to one.
After a scoreless first inning for both teams, Northeastern State scored four runs in the second and single runs in the third and fourth innings to take a 6-0 lead. Cody Bobbit led off the top of the fifth by reaching on an error and then stealing second for Emporia State. Infield singles by Justin Harris and Jordan Hodges loaded the bases and Bobbit was able to score on a double play to get the Hornets on the board. Evan Koehler singled in Harris and Hanna doubled to score Koehler and pull the Hornets within 6-3.
The RiverHawks added a run in the sixthto push the lead back to 7-3. With one out in the seventh Dean Long was hit by a pitch before Koehler doubled and Long scored on a ground out by Hanna. Levi Parker pinch hit for Aaron Gile and kept the inning alive by reaching on an error that scored Koehler. Price Jacobs tripled in Parker and pulled the Hornets within 7-6 at the seventh inning stretch. Northeastern State added another run in the bottom of the seventh for an 8-6 lead.
With one out in the eighth Harris started Emporia State's comeback with a single and went to second on a single by Jordan Hodges. Long was walked to load the bases and Koehler hit a sac fly to bring the Hornets within a run with two outs. Hanna then hit his game winning three run homer to give the Hornets a 10-8 lead. Shawn Talkington came in to close the game and pitched two perfect innings with four strikeouts to earn the save.
Hanna was three for five with a double, homer, five RBI and a run scored. Koehler went two for four with two runs and two RBI while Harris was three for five with two runs. Matt Hinkley worked two thirds of an inning to get the win before handing the ball to Talkington.
The Hornets are back in action on Tuesday when they travel to Warrensburg, Mo. to take on Central Missouri. First pitch of the non-conference game is set for 6:00 p.m.
